Being a substitute teacher is not without its challenges. But with the right tools and team to support you, substitute teaching is an extremely rewarding profession. In order to stay on track and be successful in your time with Swing, here are some tips from our Response and Resolution Team.

What does the Response and Resolution Team (RRT) do?

The Swing RRT is a small but mighty group made up of (mostly) former educators who are focused on improving both the substitute teacher and admin experience. They review all positive and unfavorable feedback about substitute teacher requests and provide follow up communication with subs to help with improvement for future requests.

How do I avoid interaction with the RRT?

The best way to avoid unfavorable feedback is to come to the classroom as prepared as possible, maintain a positive mental attitude, and always be professional. It’s also really important to build meaningful relationships with students that are centered around learning, as well as establishing professional communication with school staff and administrators. 

In general, the goal of the RRT is to improve your Swing experience. So rather than viewing these interactions as negative, reframe your perspective into a growth mindset and learn from the opportunity.

What kind of feedback do you typically receive about SwingSubs?

The RRT sees all sorts of feedback, such as:

• Whether a sub is an appropriate fit for the program
• Concerns about classroom management
• Feedback associated with general professionalism, attitude, and personality fits
• Updates on no shows, last minute cancellations, late arrivals, and early departures

Additionally, the RRT investigates all safety related reports received from both schools and substitute teachers. Sometimes reported events are things substitutes may not even register as problematic, such as placing a guiding hand on a student’s shoulder.

If you’re unsure what constitutes appropriate behavior, check out the Swing help center or use our live chat function on the website.

Does unfavorable feedback reflect on my SwingSub profile?

Absolutely not! Any negative feedback stays between you and the RRT. If any problematic behavior pops up, they’ll help guide you through whatever next steps need to be taken. 

We understand that receiving feedback isn’t always fun, but we like to use these opportunities to identify growth areas. There’s always room for improvement!

Classroom best practices:

Anything can happen during a day of substitute teaching. It’s better to be pleasantly surprised that everything went smoothly than to be caught off guard. Here’s the Response and Resolution Team’s best tips for having a successful day in the classroom:

• Leave the house a bit early to avoid any unexpected traffic.
• Establish a good rapport with students and staff
• Keep a positive mental attitude
• Remain calm – redirect distracting behavior back to the learning material
• Use your words to guide a student rather than your hands
• Remember, these are students, not your peers. 
• Check out the Swing blog!

Swing is here to support you throughout your substitute teaching journey. Whether you have questions, are unsure of best practices, or just need someone to talk to, we’re by your side through it all.